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ITEM SPECIFICS
- Type: Russian Lacquer Box
- School / Village: Kholuy / Kholui
- Artist: S. Maleeva
- Title: The Ural Tale
- Date: 1999
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Russia
- Culture: Russian
- Material: Lacquered Papier-Mâché
- Painting Technique: Hand-Painted Tempera
- Style: Russian Lacquer Miniature
- Subject: Russian Folklore / Ural Tale
- Shape: Square
- Length: Approx. 5.5"
- Width: Approx. 5.5"
- Height: Approx. 2"
- Features: Artist Marked, Studio Stamped, Hand Painted
- Studio: Kholuy Art Studio
- Bottom Markings: 1999, Kholuy Art Studio Firebird/Swan Shield, M.C. Artist Mark
- Condition: Pre-Owned / Very Good
Traditional Kholuy lacquer miniatures are made on lacquered papier-mâché and painted using egg tempera techniques derived from the village's earlier icon-painting tradition. Kholuy became an established lacquer-miniature center during the 1930s and developed its own distinct school of Russian miniature painting.
CONDITION DESCRIPTION
In overall very good condition with no notable damage. The lacquer, painted decoration, and box present well overall. May show minor signs of age, handling, or display consistent with a hand-painted piece dating to 1999. Please review all photos closely for the exact cosmetic condition, artwork, artist markings, studio stamp, and interior.
LISTING DESCRIPTION
Beautiful Russian Kholuy lacquer miniature box titled “The Ural Tale,” made in the village of Kholuy and attributed/signed to artist S. Maleeva.
The box dates to 1999 and measures an impressive approximately 5.5" x 5.5" x 2" tall, giving the artist a substantial square surface for the detailed miniature composition.
The underside is particularly noteworthy and is stamped/marked with:
- M.C., corresponding to the artist marking
- Artist attribution to S. Maleeva
The current Kholuy lacquer factory confirms that its traditional boxes are made from papier-mâché with tempera painting, gold detailing, and multiple layers of lacquer, and that a factory mark is placed on the reverse of its pieces as an indication of origin.
Kholuy is one of the four historic Russian centers of lacquer miniature painting, together with Palekh, Mstera, and Fedoskino. Kholuy developed from a centuries-old icon-painting tradition and became formally established as a lacquer-miniature center in 1934.
“The Ural Tale” subject belongs to a well-established theme in Russian decorative art. Kholuy artists have produced works based on the Ural tales, and the contemporary Kholuy factory continues to produce lacquer miniatures inspired by these stories.
This example is especially appealing because it combines a large display size, identified subject, dated 1999 production, artist attribution, and Kholuy studio marking.
Key Features
- Authentic Russian lacquer miniature
- Made in Kholuy, Russia
- Titled “The Ural Tale”
- Painted by / attributed to S. Maleeva
- Dated 1999
- Kholuy Art Studio marking on underside
- Firebird/Swan shield studio emblem
- Artist marking M.C.
- Large 5.5" x 5.5" square format
- Approx. 2" tall
- Traditional hand-painted Russian lacquer art
- Russian folklore / Ural Tale subject
- Very good overall condition
- No notable damage
